Four in five (80%) landlords who voted Labour at the last election have said that they wouldn’t do it again, Landbay has found.

The survey by the buy-to-let (BTL) lender revealed that they wouldn’t have voted for the party if they had known that the Chancellor would increase stamp duty on second homes and investment properties.

Almost one in five (19%) voted for Labour in the last election, which is a 7% rise on those who intended to vote for them in Landbay’s last survey in the spring.

However, 63% of all landlords told the lender that they were unimpressed with the Government’s housing policies so far.

One landlord told Landbay: "Where is the incentive to invest? Who will take up the displaced tenants when private landlords, most of whom only have two or three properties, dispose of their properties?"

A further landlord commented that they "shan't stop buying properties, but how and what kind remains to be seen", while another said that "it feels like typical landlord bashing from a Labour Government".

Sales and distribution director at Landbay, Rob Stanton, said: "Good landlords far outweigh the bad and the rental market is remarkably robust and thriving. Demand continues to outstrip supply with many tenants ready and willing to rent across the country. As long as house prices are high, affordability will remain a real challenge for residential buyers.

"At Landbay, we are finding that, while some disaffected landlords are sitting on their hands, others are exploring investment opportunities across the country. There is always a place for decent, sensibly priced rental properties.

"What the BTL sector really needs now is a confidence boost. With encouragement and support, the sector can continue to play an important role in helping solve the housing crisis. As a BTL lender we remain committed to doing our bit to help, innovating to meet the needs of landlords."

---